| 1 | The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel: |
| 2 | to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding; |
| 3 | to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; |
| 4 | to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man: |
| 5 | that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel: |
| 6 | to understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise. |
| 7 | The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. |
| 8 | My son, listen to your father's instruction, and don't forsake your mother's teaching: |
| 9 | for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck. |
| 10 | My son, if sinners entice you, don't consent. |
| 11 | If they say, "Come with us, Let's lay in wait for blood; let's lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; |
| 12 | let's swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit. |
| 13 | We'll find all valuable wealth. We'll fill our houses with spoil. |
| 14 | You shall cast your lot among us. We'll all have one purse." |
| 15 | My son, don't walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path, |
| 16 | for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood. |
| 17 | For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird: |
| 18 | but these lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives. |
| 19 | So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners. |
| 20 | Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares. |
| 21 | She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words: |
| 22 | "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge? |
| 23 | Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you. |
| 24 | Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention; |
| 25 | but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof; |
| 26 | I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you; |
| 27 | when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come on you. |
| 28 | Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me; |
| 29 | because they hated knowledge, and didn't choose the fear of Yahweh. |
| 30 | They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof. |
| 31 | Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes. |
| 32 | For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them. |
| 33 | But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm." |
